Everton defeated the Queensland Roar in an unconvincing display at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday, winning 2-1.
Almost 20,000 people attended Suncorp Stadium on a chilly Brisbane night, to see Everton FC play the bewildered Queensland Roar.
The first half was fairly lacklustre. Inaccurate passing, miscommunication between players, and lost chances plagued both teams. Everton’s defence held strong, despite several attempts by the Roar to break through.
Everton’s Louis Saha fell to the ground again and again (one of which was hysterically mistimed) as he tried to milk a penalty from the referee. Unfortunately for him, football is played a little differently in Australia, and none of his ‘dives’ were successful. Instead he drew boos from the crowd, a majority of which were decked out in blue and white.
With players taking the initiative in the second half, the game opened up and it was clear the game was up for grabs for whichever team desired it most.
Queensland had some decent chances, testing Everton goalkeeper Iain Turner, but again, failed to finish strongly when it counted.
It took a curling strike from just outside the goal box in the 49th minute by Everton’s Jack Rodwell to break the deadlock. His accurate shot rattled the top right corner of the Roar net, putting the visitors in front, despite a flying attempt by the Roar’s keeper, Theoklitos.
Roar supporters then came alive with one man’s ‘Queenslander!’ cry, igniting cheers from fellow Roar fans.
Shortly after, the Roar finally managed to score a goal against the English side – the only team to have done so during Everton’s tour down under. Queensland’s Kosta Barbarouses equalised with an impressive strike from close range, catching the Everton defence off guard.
Play began to open up as the Roar found themselves in Everton’s goal box time after time, while Everton’s counter attack sent Osman, Coleman and Anichebe in Queensland territory.
Continued pressure from Everton resulted in Magave Gueve scoring from a tight angle in the 83rd minute, securing the win. It was the first goal for Gueve as a Toffee.
Everton’s 2-1 win sealed a clean sweep of their three-game tour against Sydney FC, Melbourne Heart and Queensland Roar. Though their performance against the Roar was far from convincing.
This was the very first time I had ever seen an English Premier League team play live. I expected a high calibre of players, with skills beyond that of any A-League team, and a supporter stand that would deafen the cheers of the home team. But what I got was slightly disappointing.
The players were not as polished as I thought they would be.
Everton made several errors, passes rarely stuck, they gave away possession cheaply and missed numerous opportunities right in front of goal.
I expected the Roar, in light of Ange Postecoglou’s appointment and the loss of Tommy Oar and Michael Zullo, to be thrashed 4-0. But they demonstrated some fight and ambitious play for a team which is very young and still finding their feet after a disappointing season last year.
The Everton fan base which I was sure would be just as entertaining as the football, barely made a peep! In fact it was the fewer Roar supporters that could be heard in chorus on at least five occasions, while Everton supporters barely put together one cheer.
The game as a whole, didn’t quite meet expectations.
I’m unaware how Everton performed in previous matches, but I did expect more. Perhaps this match lacked the unpredictable and potent attack of Cahill and Arteta, and as a result, the football was inferior to previous Sydney and Melbourne games? Or maybe we put the standard of the English Premier League on too high a pedestal? Maybe our A-League is not so bad?
One thing’s for sure. Australia needs more of these international, inter-club friendlies.
They bring out the fans from both clubs, as well as neutral supporters – fans of football. It provides much-needed exposure of football in Australia, it tests out our teams against the best in the world, and provides football lovers a taste of what we might come to expect in an Australia where football stands equal to AFL, Rugby Union and Rugby League. Just a taste.
Rob Gremio
Roar Pro
Can I just nitpick for a moment? It's not the QUEENSLAND Roar, and hasn't been for over 12 months. It's the Brisbane Roar. I enjoyed the article, but the constant reference to Queensland Roar started to drive me a little batty.
Colin N
Guest
"Well I don’t buy it, and neither do a lot of other knowledgable non Brits. For large parts of last Saturday, Brisbane outmoved, outran and outplayed Everton. Both teams were in pre season. Brisbane had barely played together. Can I suggest you just get over it?" Again I ask, how many Brisbane players do you think would play in the Premier League? Get over what? As I said, lower teams can play better than higher teams in pre-season. Do you disagree with that? If Brisbane Roar had better players then they would be playing in Europe. "Or does it somehow offend your faded and dog-eared Anglophobia that the colonials are catching up in your own game?" How are you 'catching up?' In the the quality of the league, players in the competition, quality of the national, in which the majority of the best players won't be around in four years time? "The Premier League is almost exclusively played by “foreigners” now anyway. What does that say about British football?" Irrelevant to the initial 'discussion.' "it is the best league in Europe and the world – its not, as anyone who has watched Bundesliga, Serie A and La Liga knows" In your opinion. But the Bundesliga? Come on...........the quality is poor in comparison to the Premier League, La Liga etc. A hard working, but in general, a pretty average side, outplayed Wolfsburg and Hamburg on the way to the Uefa Cup final. Outside of Bayern Munich, the other German sides tend to come third in their group and then progress to the further stages of the weaker competition. Anyway, Fulham reached this years final, beating the likes of Juventus on the way. Last season, only Man City and Udinese reached the Quarters of the 'big three' leagues. In 2007-08, only Getafe and Fiorentina made it. "Yes, the British thinking goes, our national team is an embarrassment, but, hey, look at the Premier League! Best in the world." Actually, the thinking goes: 'we don't really care that much about our national team because we would rather see our chosen club win competitions.' I care as passionately about England as I do my local side, but most people who support top sides, would rather see them win the Champions League, FA Cup etc than see England win the World Cup. Sad but true.
Realfootball
Guest
A myth in the sense that: (a) it is the best league in Europe and the world - its not, as anyone who has watched Bundesliga, Serie A and La Liga knows and (b) in fact the top 4 or 5 clubs only create that reputation, and if you look at the likes of Everton and their ilk, they are mediocre at best in European competitions. The "money" works hard to beat up their investment; the English public wants to believe it out of misguided, bogus nationalism because their national team's only consistency is in being disappointing and choking at major tournaments. Yes, the British thinking goes, our national team is an embarrassment, but, hey, look at the Premier League! Best in the world. Well I don't buy it, and neither do a lot of other knowledgable non Brits. For large parts of last Saturday, Brisbane outmoved, outran and outplayed Everton. Both teams were in pre season. Brisbane had barely played together. Can I suggest you just get over it? Or does it somehow offend your faded and dog-eared Anglophobia that the colonials are catching up in your own game? The Premier League is almost exclusively played by "foreigners" now anyway. What does that say about British football?
Colin N
Guest
"The Premier League is in very large measure an urban and media myth in terms of its quality." In what sense? Are there any Brisbane players who you think could make it in the Premier League? So the fact that you think the quality of the Premier League is a 'myth', does that mean La Liga, Serie A etc are also poor because English clubs have, until last season, been the dominant sides in the Champions League for the last few years? it happens in a lot of pre-season games in England where lower league teams will beat or get a result against higher opposition. Bury beat Leeds' first-team 4-0 last night, Oldham drew Wigan 1-1 and last season, of course Leyton Orient thrashed Newcastle 6-1. It didn't or doesn't have any bearing on the season ahead nor does it mean the lower league teams have better technical players. I mean I remember my local side drawing against Man City and probably being the better side the pre-season after we made the play-offs in League 2, so we had a good side. The only player to make a career at Champioship level is Jon Parkin etc etc etc.
Realfootball
Guest
Yep, and they were up against a very young Roar team, many of whom have only played warm up games against local clubs together, AND they were without their new Costa Rican striker. Given the depth of the Everton squad, I think they were in fact in a better position for this match. This argument that somehow Everton is SOOO much better, really, doesn't stand up to examination. What is it with the Everton apologists? Why can't they give credit where credit is due to a new, young Roar team who played well on the night. The Premier League is in very large measure an urban and media myth in terms of its quality.
Colin N
Guest
"This was the very first time I had ever seen an English Premier League team play live. I expected a high calibre of players, with skills beyond that of any A-League team, and a supporter stand that would deafen the cheers of the home team. But what I got was slightly disappointing." It was a pre-season game. Tottenham were similarly poor against San Jose, but like Everton, didn't (or couldn't) put out their strongest team out and are merely preparing for the season ahead.
marlie chiller
Guest
Hi Melanie Good article, I saw the game from near the middle. It was unusual to see the ends packed comparitively to the middle. The second half was so much better than the first half. I thought Everton were toying with the Roar and once Barbarouses scored they decided it was time to play properly. I believe Everton were flying home that night and were mentally already on the plane. With the firepower the roar are showing up front I think most of our goals will be scored from the midfield this season.
Melanie Dinjaski
Roar Guru
mhm they certainly were inflated, well, originally. Plenty of annoyed fans on the roar's facebook group page. I was disappointed also that the South African striker was absent...Pienaar I think it is...I would've loved to have seen him play. Makes it pretty impressive that Tim Cahill backed up even for the first two games, when many of Everton's world cup stars did not!
Melanie Dinjaski
Roar Guru
40,000 at the everton game says they probably will respond!
Stuart Downey
Guest
I'm a season ticket holder for Everton here in Liverpool. Rodwell Gueye, Anichebe and Coleman are all 21 and under, gueye having recently signed. Saha shouldn't be diving, no one ever should especially in pre season. Our best players were either at the WC, a few are injured and a few more are in Spain for mikel arteta's wedding. Thus it seems the prices are hugely inflated for the calibre of player on show.
mintox
Guest
It's very hard to judge these games to see where our teams are at, last season the Perth Glory played Wolverhampton and whilst going down 1-0 were certainly not out classed at all. Wolves were all hustle and bustle but not much substance at the end of the day and the Glory certainly showed that it could match them. A week later though, they faced a Fulham team who ran rings around them, organised in defence by the now Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson, the Glory weren't in the same class as them, the final score was 5-0. A lot of things come into play on pre-season tours, firstly that they are just that, pre-season tours, with teams in the middle of getting themselves ready for the season, the roar would probably have been further into their preparations than Everton. Everton had played 3 games in a week, had a couple of stars out and it's always going to be a big deal for the home teams who will no doubt lift when playing such famous opposition whilst for Everton this is just another match as part of their preparations!
jimbo
Roar Guru
Yes its an annual event backed by the FFA and the NSW government - no private promoters. SFC say that ticket sales are good and following the 42K for Everton they are hoping 20-30K for the double headers. Lavicka and his team are not only confident of doing well, but they are playing to win it.
Towser
Guest
This is reasonable Art,unlike the Everton tour. Hope the Sydney football public respond,because as I understand it this comp will be ongoing.
Towser
Guest
Dont get your point. This was not my personal Roar article, just something I wrote in relation to another Roar article which I thought was relevant to Melanies article.
Art Sapphire
Guest
Even though I'm in Melbourne, I'm really looking forward to the Sydney Festival of Football which begins next weekend. Just checked the ticket prices and it $100 in Cat C to watch 3 quality double-headers. $29 is the cheapest single day ticket - Cat D. Sydneysiders can't complain about pricing in this case. With the season in Europe fast approaching, these games will be quite competitive. It will interesting to see how Sydney go. I just checked the Foxsports website, Foxsports are showing the games on July 25 and 28 on Foxsports 3. The July 31 games will probably be shown on their Foxsports News Channel as their other channels are covering live games. What a great entree before the A-League season commences the following week.
Erasmus
Guest
Hi Towser, this is an incredible lack of originality - copying and pasting your own articles. Does anyone read them unless you do this tricky thing?
Melanie Dinjaski
Roar Guru
I did see the same thing. The middle stands where gold and silver seating was top dollar were very bare. But you're quite right, the ends were packed!
Towser
Guest
Heres what I wrote on another Roar vs Everton article below,but it equally applies to yours. Taken from a slightly different view ,but essentially agrees with your summary. "Firstly regarding this match , wouldnt have paid the ridiculous prices they had first up. Everton for all the delusion of their supporter group in Australia(many of whom are of the plastic variety) are not in the same category as ManU ,Liverpool or Arsenal. These sort of matches for me give you a measuring stick of where the A-League is at,bearing in mind that this is essentially a pre- season trial. However didnt mind the revised price of $19.95 in some areas so went. First half a bit boring Everton slightly flat, second much improved, but the Roar showed a completely different attitude to the Celtic match last year,where I consider they like the weaker dog recognising the stronger one rolled over onto their stomach. This time they fought & defended in packs,harassing the stronger opponent. At the same time didnt just do it in their half ,but were willing forage forward,when appropriate. Also showed a greater will to be patient & hold onto the ball. No hoofing from defence to attack,forget the midfield as seen in previous Roar teams. Still lacking though some teeth up front. Hopefully the new Costa Rican lad Jean Carlo Solorzano is the goods,because Reinaldo never will be. Overall if your a genuine fan of an A-League club ,these matches are usefull in measuring where were at in relation to superior opposition. Not just in quality but how an A-League club handles them mentally. The gap between an A-League club & an EPL side will always be there,but it can become closer. If so these sort of matches can provide some genuine upsets from an A-League supporter perspective,somewhat like happens in FA cup ties when Brentford beats the Spurs etc. Lets just say as a Roar fan it gave me great delight to see the subdued look on the Everton fans faces for most of this match as we took it to them. Sure it was a friendly pre- season trial,personally I dont give a stuff what you call it as a Roar fan we gave as good as we got given our limitations & if one day we beat an EPL side,I cant wait to see the looks on some of these plastic fans faces as they depart the stadium. One proviso for these sort of matches,Keep your “Arfur Daley” promoters well clear. This match was packed at both ends(cheaper seats) & sparse in the middle where prices where I believe for some seats around$100."